Sharing Your Faith With Muslims

“In the next 50 years, we will capture the Western world for Islam. We have the men to do it, we have the money to do it, and above all, we are already doing it.”1 From the speech presented at the dedication of an Islamic Center in Stockholm, Sweden, in 1983.

Facts
1. A typical Muslim thinks Christians are polytheists and perpetual sinners
- Misconception of the Trinity
- Materialism, consumerism, etc
2. Islam is not synonymous with terrorism
- Terrorists are a tiny minority among Muslims
- Killing the innocent is un-Islamic (Qur’an 17:33; 25:68)
3. Islam is more than a religion; it is a way of life
- It is a community oriented faith
- A Muslim’s identity depends on his/her closely knit (extended) family
4. Muslims are sincere and very religious
- Muslims seek after God
- Most Muslims would die for their faith
5. It is harder to reach Muslims in the West than in their home countries
- Gay “churches”, nominal Christianity
- Muslims consider all Americans as Christians
- There are more stumbling blocks here
6. 1.2 billion Muslims (1 out of every 5 people on earth)
- Less than 20% of Muslims live in the Middle East
- Less than 15% of Muslims are Arabs!
- 156 million Muslims in Indonesia (the largest Muslim concentration)
- 300 million Muslims in Southern Asia: Pakistan, India and Bangladesh
- Half of Africa’s people are Muslims (Muslims claim majority)
- 12 million Arab Christians in the Middle East
- 7 million Muslims in America2 (2002)

Key Principles
1. Muslims are people and Christ died for them
- See Muslims through Christ’s eyes
- Christ came to seek and save the lost (Luke 19:10)
2. Debate should not be primary source of sharing
- Good news: You can NEVER outdebate a Muslim
- We cannot lead people to the Lord by quarrelling with them
- Dialogue with Muslims
- Use stories and parables
3. Traditional methods of evangelism are not usually effective
- Generally sharing should be with the same gender
- Share in a one-on-one situation

What to do
1. Continue to develop your own relationship with Christ
- Pray for Muslims
- You can only give what you have


2. Use friendships as a way to share your faith
- Many Muslim immigrants in America are lonely
- Earn their trust before you share your faith in words
- Accept and give hospitality graciously
- Invite Muslims over for a table fellowship at home
3. Use Bible Studies
- OT: Consider chronological Bible studies from Genesis
- Focus on the Pentateuch
- NT: Consider chronological Bible studies from Matthew
- Focus on the Synoptic gospels
4. Focus on common areas
- Build on common grounds
- Talk about families and your faith
5. Expect God to work in wonderful ways
- Muslims come to Christ!
- Have faith, trust the Lord and SHARE YOUR FAITH


“13… "Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved."
14How, then, can they call on the one they have not believed in? And how can they believe in the one of whom they have not heard? And how can they hear without someone preaching to them? 15And how can they preach unless they are sent? As it is written, "How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news!"” Romans 10

Source: BLib 1059

Footnote
1. Ron Peck. The Shadow of the Crescent: The Growth of Islam in the U.S. Springfield, MO: CMM, 2001, (p. iii).
2. Council on American-Islamic Relations as cited in http://www.religioustolerance.org/isl_numb.html